Cheap (But Totally Delicious!) Eats in Boston, MA
Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or just looking for something casual and inexpensive, we’ve found a handful of restaurants that are the perfect fit for you. Going out to eat doesn’t have to be pricey, you just have to know the right spots to go to. Check out this article to find some of the best cheap eats around Boston, MA.
Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe
86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 482-1888
Just outside of the Beacon Hill area of Boston is Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Café. Locals know it as a counter-style place to order hand-pulled noodles as well as flatbread sandwiches. They’re open for lunch as well as early dinners Monday through Saturday. Some of the most affordable food can be found here, with noodle bowls and other items costing less than $10. That means that there’s still room to add a drink and even treat yourself to a lamb skewer or a tea egg to accompany your meal.
Tasty Burger
86 Van Ness St, Boston, MA 02215
(617) 425-4444
Tasty Burger has been a part of the Boston food scene for over a decade, and it has grown to include multiple locations. There are so many things we love about this place, including the fact that they’re open all the way until two in the morning every day of the week. Grilled-to-order burgers are the featured item on the menu, but you can also get chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and more. A combo that includes sides and a drink will cost about $12 or $13, depending on the size of the burger and the toppings. The Starvin’ Student (be prepared to show student ID) is a $10 deal that will get you a burger, fries, and a tall boy of draft beer.
Mike’s City Diner
1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 267-9393
Mike’s City Diner offers a 1950’s vibe where you’ll find hearty breakfasts and lunches served until 2 PM seven days a week. Whether you eat at the counter or grab a table, you’ll be able to explore the classic American menu. It’s easy to keep things affordable with their breakfast and lunch specials. If you’re on a budget but still want to eat out, we recommend checking out one of their triple-decker clubs. Add a fountain drink, and it will cost you about $15. Of course, if you have a bit more to spend, their dinners include two sides, so it ends up being quite the feast.
Cusser’s
304 Stuart St 1st floor, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 917-5193
Cusser’s has quite the posh look to it, so you might be surprised to find it on this list. The seafood restaurant is known for being quite reasonable with its prices. You’ll be able to find fish tacos, a 3-way roast beef sandwich, and more on the menu for only $12. You can also choose to get a bit creative with the menu to explore some of their other foods without spending a lot of money. For example, a cup of their amazing New England Clam Chowder followed by a whoopie pie for dessert can be money well-spent, too.
Anna’s Taqueria
446 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 277-7111
You’ll find six locations scattered around Boston, so visiting Anna’s Taqueria will be easy. You can order right at the counter and customize your order to just the way you like it. For about $10, you can get the super burrito, which comes with your choice of protein as well as rice, beans, and a long list of fillings. Add some chips and a drink, and you’ve got a full meal for about $15. There’s a spacious dining room where you can enjoy your burrito (or bowl, tacos, quesadillas, or other items) or simply grab it all for takeout.
Lilly’s Gourmet Pasta Express
1528 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
(617) 427-8080
Handmade pasta and ravioli is the name of the game at Lilly’s. The corner front shop has all of its specials on chalkboards when you walk in. You can have a sandwich made to your liking or grab a pasta bowl where you choose the pasta, sauce, and toppings. As long as you don’t get too greedy with the toppings, you can check out for about $15 (or less). And if you feel like splurging just a tiny bit, a house made cannoli for dessert is always a great option.
Saus Boston
33 Union St, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 248-8835
Saus is a sandwich shop that also features beer and French fries. You’ll eat like a king without spending a lot of money. The best part is that there’s room in the budget to wash it all down with a pint. Indulge in a classic, like the warm & cheesy Bacon Parm. We recommend sharing the hand-cut fries with a friend so you can explore one of the draft beers they have, which change out regularly.
Buenas
1 Bow Mkt Wy #14, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 764-6993
Located inside Bow Market, Buenas is a Latin American restaurant that specializes in empanadas. These meat-filled pockets may surprise you because of some of their unique flavors. Crab Rangoon, Hawaiian Pizza, Chicken Parm, and more are some of the flavors to look forward to. You can place your order online or simply walk up to the counter to see what they have available. A full grab-n-go section is available to take frozen empanadas to go, too. With how filled the empanadas are, you’ll eat well on a small budget.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Boston page, here!
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